Journalist Edwin Okoth has released an outstanding documentary about the impact of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) on the livelihoods of truck drivers in Kenya.
The documentary looks at major clauses in the Kenya and the People's
Republic of China (PRC) agreement, as well as the SGR's significance as a
critical route of transportation between Nairobi and Mombasa.
While the SGR has been hailed as a significant breakthrough in infrastructure,
questions have been raised about its unforeseen repercussions for the trucking
sector.
Critical advancements have occurred
since the first phase of the railway, which connects the Port of Mombasa
to the country's interior, was completed in 2017.
In 2018, the Kenyan government mandated that all containerized freight entering
Mombasa port travel via the SGR.
This legal shift has resulted in the closure of over 10,000 trucking companies,
costing thousands of jobs for truck drivers and loaders, as well as the closure
of several connected businesses.
Edwin Okoth's comprehensive research
and firsthand stories highlight the problems and challenges faced by those
touched by this change.
The documentary tells a fascinating story about the human consequences of
infrastructure development and encourages viewers to consider the bigger
implications for Kenyan livelihoods.
Mr Okoth has already authored ground-breaking pieces regarding the SGR deal in
Kenyan media, and his 2018 MA thesis at Columbia University focused on
China-Africa ties.
Quote from Edwin Okoth:
“The negative impact felt by the business community and the truck drivers underlines the importance of proper public participation before such mega projects are rolled out. Kenya should take the lessons from the SGR seriously and avoid a similar mistake in such projects in the future,”
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